D&D Names by Race

D&D Names by Race

Every race in Dungeons & Dragons has its own linguistic traditions, phonetic patterns, and naming customs. Understanding these conventions helps you create names that feel authentic to the world and your character's heritage.

Quick Reference by Race

Race	Phonetic Feel	Key Sounds	Example Names
Elves	Flowing, melodic	l, n, r, th + long vowels	Aelindor, Naivara, Liriel
Dwarves	Sturdy, guttural	k, g, d, r + short vowels	Thoradin, Brimma, Gundrik
Halflings	Warm, homey	Soft English countryside sounds	Merric, Bree, Roscoe
Tieflings	Flexible — infernal or virtue	Varies by naming tradition	Morthos, Hope, Zariel
Dragonborn	Strong, resonant	Sibilant S, hard K and G	Balasar, Kriv, Surina
Gnomes	Playful, bouncy	Unexpected syllable combos	Fonkin, Ellywick, Zook
Half-Orcs	Dual — guttural or melodic	Depends on heritage lean	Grath, Dench, Mirela

Elves (High, Wood, Dark, Sea)

Elven names are flowing, melodic, and often connected to nature or celestial concepts.

Category	Examples
Male names	Aelindor, Thalion, Caelrath, Sylvanis, Erevion
Female names	Aerilynn, Naivara, Liriel, Eilonwy, Thessaly
Family names	Silverleaf, Moonwhisper, Starweaver, Nightbreeze
Dark Elf (Drow)	Drizzt, Viconia, Zaknafein, Qilue — harsher sounds, apostrophes

Phonetics: Soft consonants (l, n, r, th), long vowels, syllable emphasis on the second-to-last syllable.

Dwarves (Hill, Mountain)

Dwarven names are sturdy, guttural, and as solid as the mountains they inhabit.

Category	Examples
Male names	Thoradin, Barendd, Gundrik, Morgran, Rurik
Female names	Brimma, Dagna, Helga, Kathra, Torga
Clan names	Battlehammer, Ironforge, Stonebreaker, Goldminer

Phonetics: Hard consonants (k, g, d, r, th), short vowels, rhythmic and percussive. Clan names carry enormous weight — a dwarf introduces themselves with their clan name before their given name in formal situations.

Halflings (Lightfoot, Stout)

Halfling names are warm, friendly, and sound like they belong in a cozy village.

Category	Examples
Male names	Merric, Corrin, Eldon, Garret, Osborn, Roscoe
Female names	Andry, Bree, Lidda, Lavinia, Nedda, Shaena
Family names	Goodbarrel, Hilltopple, Thorngage, Underbough

Phonetics: Soft, homey sounds similar to English countryside names. Comfortable and approachable.

Tieflings

Tiefling naming is uniquely flexible, reflecting their complex identity. The choice between naming traditions is instant backstory.

Tradition	Examples	Meaning
Infernal names	Morthos, Orianna, Amnon, Zariel, Akmenos	Drawn from the language of devils
Virtue names	Hope, Creed, Torment, Music, Sorrow, Glory	Rejecting heritage, choosing their own ideals
Human names	Varies by community	Raised among humans, fitting in

Dragonborn

Dragonborn names carry the weight of draconic heritage and clan honor.

Category	Examples
Male names	Balasar, Bharash, Donaar, Ghesh, Kriv, Rhogar
Female names	Akra, Biri, Daar, Harann, Kava, Surina
Clan names	Clethtinthiallor, Daardendrian, Kepeshkmolik, Norixius

Phonetics: Strong, resonant sounds with draconic flair — sibilant S's, hard K's and G's. Clan names are spoken first in formal address.

Gnomes

Gnomes have the most elaborate naming traditions in D&D — and the most fun. They accumulate names throughout their lives — a gnome's full name might be a paragraph long.

Category	Examples
Male names	Alston, Dimble, Eldon, Fonkin, Gimble, Zook
Female names	Bimpnottin, Caramip, Ellywick, Lilli, Nissa, Roywyn

Phonetics: Playful, bouncy, often with unexpected syllable combinations. Long and joyful.

Half-Orcs

Half-orc names often reflect their dual heritage — orcish strength and human complexity. Whether a half-orc leans into orcish or human naming conventions tells you about their upbringing and identity.

Heritage Lean	Examples	Feel
Orcish-leaning	Grath, Dench, Holg, Shump	Short, guttural, powerful
Human-leaning	Mirela, Jorin, Theron, Kaelen	Softer, more melodic

Aasimar, Goliath, and Other Races

Race	Naming Convention	Examples
Aasimar	Celestial-influenced — angelic, radiant qualities	Deva, Seraphiel, Auriel, Zariel
Goliath	Birth name + earned nickname + clan	"Dawncaller," "Fearless," "Flintfinder"
Tabaxi	Descriptive names from natural phenomena	Cloud on the Mountaintop, Jade Shoe, Five Timber
Kenku	Named after sounds (can only mimic)	Clatter, Sizzle, Plink